Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 132, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 June 1917 — WHAT WOMEN GAN DO IN THE WAR [ARTICLE]

WHAT WOMEN GAN DO IN THE WAR

Major General Wood Describes Work of the American I Red Cross. BIG BROTHER OF SERVICES Army and Navy Cannot Get Along Without It—What the Red Cross Needs—Work to Be Done at Home. Washington.—Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, U. S. A., is the author of an article just issued in bulletin form by the American Red Cross under the caption “What Women Can Do in the War.”

“War,” General Wood writes, “brings with it a call to national service for women as well as men. There are two very important ways in which women can help the nation in war. “(1) By working in industry, thereby releasing men for the front, and (2) by joining the American Red Cross. “Next to the preparation of munitions and recruiting the army and the nayy, the most important step in getting ready for war is to build up a Red Cross organization. “During the last few years much has been done to prepare the American Red Cross for the nation’s call; but preparedness on a large scale cannot be accomplished in peace time. All that can be done is to prepare a skeleton organization capable of expansion in war service, to draft plans of mobilization as any army staff would draft them, and to gather reserve materials and supplies. “When the call comes the Red Cross must act quickly. It must take care of a' vastly increased army and navy. Therefore, its growth must parallel the growth of both branches of the nation’s fighting force. Time for Quick Action. “The declaration of a state of war with Germany means that the American Red Cross must translate all these plans prepared during peace into action. It must be prepared to supplement the existing facilities of the medical department of the army and the navy and of the Medical Reserve corps. “Every man and woman owes it as a duty to the country to become a member of the American Red Cross. Membership—4t is as low as $1 —should be universal.

“After membership there is opportunity for service with the Red Cross. Every chapter has its workrooms and its auxiliaries. It has trained instructors in the preparation of hospital and surgical supplies needed here and abroad. “Many chapters have classes in first aid to the wounded, home care of the sick, home dietetics, and in the making of surgical dressings. All of these are at the service of ’women who wish to aid their country. “But what the Red Cross does need today is trained women for the work of military relief. The immediate call Is for competent nurses. A soldier’s life is too precious to risk in unskilled hands. Nurses must largely be drawn from the hospitals of the cities. “Women must be found to take the places of many nurses in civilian hospitals. To prepare for this emergency the Red Cross has been conducting great training classes for women. “The functions of the Red Cross, however, go far beyond service in mill-

tary hospitals. In addition to the department of military relief is the department of civilian relief, equally large and equally important. "Dependents of fighting men cannot be neglected. Red Cross committees, assisted by expert investigators, take care of children who need aid. The needs of convalescing soldiers from the front will be looked after. “If; the tifne comes when, women must go into industry, the burden of caring for children must he shifted from many mothers. Homes or nurseries must be found for infants. It is the Red Cross that is called upon to meet these emergencies also. Big Brother of the Services. “The Red Cross is the big brother of the medical services. The army and navy cannot get along without it. Without it a warring nation is almost helpless for the reason that a nation in time of war is unable to provide an adequate medical organization without civilian aid. “In no war have there ever been enough nurses and surgeons. As no chain is stronger than its weakest link so no army Is stronger than its Red Cross. So clearly is this understood that in time of war the government requires the Red Cross to give all its energies and facilities to the nation, caring for the fighting men and their dependents at home, “The Red Cross is the only organization authorized by the government to render war relief services. It acts under a charter from the government. Congress passed the act incorporating it. This act made the president its official head and placed representatives of the army and navy on its directing staff.

“In other words, the Red Cross is officially as much a part of the government machinery as the army itself. Despite this official standing, however, the Red Cross must depend upon voluntary service of women and men. It is the great volunteer army that is serving humanity as well as the nation. And it is an army made up largely of women.”